Performance of age-adjusted D-dimer values for predicting DVT before the knee and hip arthroplasty

Purpose To compare the specificity and sensitivity of preoperative D-dimer and age-adjusted D-dimer value for predicting the incidence of the DVT preoperatively in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients. Methods We enrolled 406 patients finally above 50 years old. Everyone had done ultrasonography bedside, and D-dimer concentrations were collected before surgery. The D-dimer and age-adjusted D-dimer cut-off was calculated by multiple logistic regression and receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses. Results A total of 39 patients had found asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by ultrasonography. The age (odds ratio [OR] 1.067; p = 0.003) and D-dimer (OR 1.331; p = 0.025) were related to the existence of DVT. For conventional D-dimer and age-adjusted D-dimer value, the area under the curves (AUCs) were 0.685 (0.499-0.696) and 0.795 (0.611-0.881), respectively. Conclusion Compared to traditional D-dimer, age-adjusted D-dimer showed better performance in screening DVT, which was useful clinically.